A Summer of Firsts

This summer was full of firsts for the Babe.  She went to a major league ball game, Disneyworld, and tried some new foods.  There may have been more firsts, but I'm in back to school mode so can't remember everything. 

The major league ball game was a true thrill for her.  We needed to make the hour and half drive to Baltimore to have her bloodwork done for updated allergy testing.  She was not happy to have to have blood drawn, and the long drive didn't help.  It had been pushed back enough that we finally had a day that my husband and I could go.  She knew what treats were in store for her afterwards, however the day before we went my husband came up with a bigger and better idea.  How about attend a Baltimore Orioles game?  We checked with the ticket office about food, and found a section that was barely occupied.  My husband booked a hotel within walking distance of the stadium.  That was fun for the Babe because she could look down at rush hour traffic from our room.  After dinner, we loaded up with wipes and snacks, and headed over.  She loved it.  The people, the lights, the different activities posted on the signboard.  Besides wiping her seat down, we had her sit on stuff.  We were up high, and had a large area all to ourselves.  She danced and cheered, and had a blast. 

A few weeks later we headed down to Florida.  We planned to spend one day at Disneyworld in Orlando.  Based on where we were staying, we were able to get up early, drive two hours, spend the day, and head back home afterwards.  One side note- my husband and I are not fans of heat or crowds.  We visited towards the end of July when it was wall to wall people and 95 degrees.  I packed frozen bottles of water, food, and again, lots of wipes.  The Babe was so excited, anticipating seeing many characters and some rides she would like to go on.  That's unfortunately not how the day proceeded.  Nary a character could be found unless we wanted to stand in ninety minute lines.  And every ride or show we offered (as in every ride and show we passed), we asked if she wanted to go on or to, and she said no.  Although she is six, they still scared her.  After an hour of melting and trying not to collapse, we went on one ride which was the story of the Little Mermaid.  She was not happy with us or the ride.  Halfway through she had her hands over her ears, and afterwards asked us why we made her do it.  She didn't want to go on the teacups or on the carousel, nor see the Presidents' show.  Finally we rode on the train all around the park, which she loved.  After lunch we did meet Belle, during a mini-interactive show that she enjoyed.  Last she had her picture taken with Tinkerbelle (again, something you had to wait on line, but we had a FastPass for).  We rode the ferry back to our car.  We chatted with the captains while waiting, and the Babe was very exited.  However, she was worried she might get seasick.  So the captain gave her a ring (large blue rhinestone) that was "magical" and she'd be fine.  That was probably one of the highlights for her.  We lasted six hours and walked over four miles.  We survived Disney.  Not what we expected to see and do, but we went.  Afterwards she enjoyed a swim in the pool with her daddy.  It was a good day for her, and that is all that matters.

First Grade

We've survived the first day of school.  The Babe started first grade on Monday.  She was a little anxious going in, but when I picked her up at the end of the day she told me it was "wonderful".  The next morning she told me she loved it. 

This year she's at the same school where she attended kindergarten.  I met with several staff members last week to plan for her attendance, and work towards an agreed 504 Plan.  The biggest hurdle is lunch.  As the Babe is presumed to be airborne anaphylactic to dairy (meaning she can't be around heated dairy because the dairy proteins are in the air, and could trigger a reaction upon inhalation), we're trying to avoid the cafeteria on major dairy days. 

The first day of school was naturally pizza day, so I met her for lunch in the library.  It was just her and myself in a quiet corner while an older class was there with the librarian.  I purchased paper placemats ahead of time.  After wiping down her seat, laying out a placemat, and getting her lunch out, she was good to go.  The Babe enjoyed her lunchtime with me. 

The next day we tried out the cafeteria.  The Babe was a bit apprehensive.  I let her know we could go to the library, but she went ahead and ate in the cafeteria.  The Babe sat at one of two allergy tables.  Again, it was just her and myself, with the rest of her class at a longer table adjacent to us.  The Babe wanted a friend with her, which is a possibility in the future so long as they have a safer lunch (like no hot thermos of mac and cheese).  The school principal spent some time in the cafeteria, and made sure to stop by and sit with us for a few minutes to see how everything was going.  With an airborne reaction, it may not be immediate.  So while I was present with her at lunchtime, I tried not to obsess all afternoon.  Thankfully, everything went well.

Today I joined her again in the cafeteria.  Later this week will be library lunches.  Everything went well at lunch except at the very end.  Her teacher rejoined the group in the cafeteria to line them up to return to the classroom, and two boys who both had dairy in their lunches hugged her simultaneous.  That means neither side of her is "clean", and the Babe was very upset that she can't hug her teacher at the end of the day.  This was the Babe being self-aware, and knowing immediately what wasn't safe.  Hopefully she gets over the disappointment before the day is over.

In the meantime, the principle, school social worker, teacher, and various others have checked in to make sure the Babe is o.k. this first week.  Its wonderful to know everyone is watching out for her.  Thankfully, we're off to a good start.